Lacock Abbey
Friday –
My dear Henry
Horatia <1> transmits to me a report that you were to set off yesterday per Birmingham railway – nevertheless I chuse to write to you as usual at the Athenæum <2> as I have no authentic information on the subject.
What does H. mean by poor Nicole <3>? – What has happened to him? I was so glad to hear of your dining at 2 Mansfield Street last Tuesday – You would find them all very busy that evening preparatory to the Bazaar – Horatia wrote me word of the success of the first day’s sale. A thousand pounds in five shilling admissions is amazing –
I have been today with Wilkins <4> to the Nursery garden at Bath. – and have chosen many pretty things with which I hope you will be pleased. Mr Griffin seems to have a good collection & the emplacement of his garden is very pretty indeed One of the gates faces a gate into the Park – so that the walk from his house to the town of Bath is one of continued beauty. The Sun was broiling: but I was well repaid by the pretty things I saw. Knott <5> will bring the plants tomorrow & Wilkins considers they have every chance of prospering as the ground is still in a nice moist state
I was so sorry for your discomfort on Monday – and the Club band having prevented your explaining to me your wishes about the green house –
Every day brings out new flowers – and we revel in all the delights of summer. I think the Roses will very soon blow –
Your affte
Constance.
Notes:
1. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, London: WHFT’s club; a gentleman’s club composed primarily of artists and scientists.
3. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.
4. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.
5. Richard Knott, of Lacock.